Gov. Paterson and his rival, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, are set to face state Democrats today for the first time since President Obama signaled his distaste for the incumbent at the top of the ticket next year.

“The governor has some difficulties,” declared Brooklyn Democratic Chairman and Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who has emerged as a leading Paterson critic.

“Party leaders, party chairs and union leaders have to make some decisions on what to do over the next three or four weeks,” Lopez added.